Chapter 2
Stiles wasn't alone on the deck for long. Minutes later, most of the pack was gathered outside, freshly changed into swimsuits and dying to check out the pool.
It was large, reaching ten feet at the deep end, and surprisingly clean for its lack of use. The water sparkled crystal and blue in the hot sun, promising a cool escape from the heat.
"Last one in is a rotten egg!" Jackson bellowed as he dove in. Isaac and Erica weren't far behind. Lydia only rolled her eyes before claiming a lounge chair to soak up some sun. Still in his clothes, Stiles settle for an available seat nearby, purposefully trying not to stare at the strawberry-blonde in a bikini.
"You getting in?" Scott appeared beside him with Allison in tow, all smiles and obliviousness.
Stiles shook his head. "Maybe later. The water looks kinda cold right now."
Allison looked apprehensively at the pool. "He's right, you know. It does look kind of cold."
"Only one way to find out!" Scott laughed as he suddenly picked his girlfriend up and sent both of them flying into the water. Stiles sighed; he really shouldn't be surprised. Whenever Allison was around, Scott's attention span was similar to an excited puppy. It was almost sad at times.
He watched Scott swim towards the shallows, Allison right behind him swearing vengeance, when Derek and Boyd suddenly appeared to join the party. They were carrying what looked like a volleyball and net that the others immediately volunteered to help setup.
The teams were quickly split up; Derek, Isaac, and Boyd against Scott, Allison, Jackson, and Erica. Jackson tried to coax Lydia into the game but she only waved him off, claiming herself referee.
"What about you, Stiles?" Erica asked but Jackson laughed at the offer.
"Good idea! Stilinski can help the other team lose!" Stiles frowned but didn't answer. He had put up with Jackson's arrogance for years, no reason to start listening to him now.
The game commenced, the winners being the first to reach fifteen points. Stiles watched the ball sail over the net back and forth over and over. Jackson's team had more players but they were clearly outmatched against the combined might of Derek, Isaac, and Boyd. Soon, the ball flew just out of Erica's reach and the other team was awarded their winning point.
"Good game, everyone," Stiles half cheered as he stood to go inside. It was hot and he needed a drink if he was just going to continue playing spectator for his friends.
"Hey Stilinski! Think fast!"
Stiles turned but too slow. The launched volleyball suddenly clipped his shoulder and sent him off balance. Air whooshed out his lungs as his shoulder collided harshly against the pool's concrete edge followed immediately by the side of his head. His vision exploded in white stars before he vaguely registered his body slipping into the water.
He wasn't entirely sure what happened afterwards; the blow had left him dazed and confused.
The first thing Stiles noticed was how uncomfortably quiet it was. No laughing or talking, no playful splashing, no birds or wind whistling through the trees. Just eerie and deafening silence.
Then he registered the cold followed by the suddenly realization that he was sinking further from the surface. Before he could get his already uncoordinated arms and legs working in a swimming motion, he bumped the bottom of the pool.
The gentle impact was enough to knock the last wisp of air from his body, leaving his lungs starving for more. He gasped desperately, trying to ease the burn but deadly water quickly clogged his nose and throat. Panic set in, clutching Stiles chest tightly as more water invaded against his will. Slowly, his movements grew sluggish and his thoughts faded as lack of oxygen slowed his brain.
Then it didn't matter. He was content to lie at the bottom of the pool, watching the sunlight dance across the surface far above him. It was peaceful and quiet and he frankly didn't care that he was dying.
So this is what drowning is likeā¦
Darkness crept along the edges of his conscious, pulling him further and further away from thought. The last thing Stiles remembered was a large shape diving through the water towards him just before his world went black.
Then something strong hooked under his arms and hoisted him up. Seconds later, his head broke the surface and the peace and quiet was replaced with frantic shouting.
"Is he breathing!?"
"Get him out of the water!"
"Grab his arm! Be gentle!"
"Really, Jackson?! Why would you do that! What were you thinking!?"
"Stiles! Stiles, can you hear me!"
Stiles heard them shouting and felt hands pulling him out of the pool and onto solid ground but he couldn't respond. He couldn't even distinguish whose voice belonged to whom. It all sounded distant and garbled, like a bad TV reception.
Gentle hands probed at his neck and face. "He has a pulse but he's not breathing," a deep voice reported from above. "Come on, Stiles. You need to breathe for me."
He was pulled into a sitting position and leaned against something firm and strong. Suddenly there was a painful jab between his shoulder blades. It hit two more times before Stiles brown eyes shot open. He coughed once and promptly doubled over, hacked up the water that was still in his lungs. A hand on his back rubbed soothing circles as he greedily gulped down air and blinked stinging tears from his eyes.
When he was finished, Stiles looked up to see the pack surrounding him. Scott was crouched just to the side, looking pale and shaken, a teary Allison clutching his arm. Over Scott's shoulder, Erica, Boyd, and Isaac were gathered, not as visibly upset but still watching with concern. Further behind the others, Lydia was wide eyed and ridged as a board next to Jackson who had the decency to look a bit contrite.
"Stiles?" a voice right next to Stiles ears startled him. The boy jumped and turned sharply, immediately regretting it when a pang shot through his temples. Way closer than expected was Derek, dripping wet and shirtless. Stiles instantly blushed red and tried to put some personal space between them but the arm against his chest kept him in place.
"Stay still," Derek ordered, his green eyes flashing a warning red. Stiles instantly froze, letting the wolf's gentle hands lay him down on the concrete. "You may have a concussion. Is your vision blurry or unfocused?"
"Nope, twenty twenty crystal clear," Stiles answered, trying to look anywhere other than Derek's very distracting upper body. "Can I get up?"
"No. Do you know where you are?"
Stiles rolled his eyes and groaned. "You sound like my dad in an interrogation."
"Just answer the question," Derek growled, his dark eyebrows knitting in annoyance.
"Your family cabin in the middle of freaking nowhere. It's nice and all but dude, seriously? Five hours is way too long to drive-"
"Stiles! I really need you to focus right now!" The boy quickly shut his mouth and waiting for the next round of questions.
"When's your birthday?"
"Once every year." Stiles thought it was funny but the irritated frown he received from the alpha told him otherwise.
"Well at least his sarcasm is still intact," Jackson muttered from the background. The rest of the pack turned and zeroed in with icy glares. The jock sheepishly slurred a, "Sorry," before inching further from the circle.
Derek turned back to Stiles and asked again. "Birthday?"
"April eighth. Can I get up now?"
The wolf nodded and leaned back, giving Stiles enough space to sit up slowly. Free to move, he raised a hand to gently probe him throbbing temple. He winced when the touch sent another jolt of pain through his head. It wasn't bleeding but it was definitely tender. Ice and painkillers were going to be his best friends for the next few hours.
"You think you can stand?" Stiles nodded but his legs shook treacherously as he struggled to get off the ground. Derek gently took his arm and helped him into a standing position, only releasing his hold when he was sure Stiles wasn't going to topple over. All the while, Stiles' face was burning red from its embarrassing close encounter with Derek's shirtless and very muscular chest. The wolf in question, though, didn't seem to notice.
"Scott," Derek ordered, nodding his head towards Stiles. The beta was quick to obey, rushing to his friend's side as Allison followed like a shadow.
"I gotcha," Scott whispered, his voice sounded strained as he draped a towel around Stiles shivering frame. He pulled one of Stiles' arms over his shoulders and led him away as Allison went ahead to open the patio doors. Just before Scott pulled him inside, Stiles managed a backwards glance at the unmoving pack.
All glowing eyes, plus Lydia's normal brown ones, were on a clearly uncomfortable Jackson. His girlfriend looked close to a full on hissy fit. The three betas were ridged and cold as they glared at their fellow pack member. But out of all of them, Derek seemed the most hostile.
Even from across the deck, Stiles could feel fury radiating off the alpha. His eyes were bright red and his teeth were long and bared as he snarled some too quiet and far away for Stiles to hear. The sight of Jackson slumping in submission was the last thing Stiles saw before Allison ushered him and Scott through the door.
